Aloha from our Center Director
Aloha, and welcome to the Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (PIERC). As a USGS research center, PIERC serves the needs of resource managers to tackle current and emerging critical conservation issues.
Aloha, and welcome to the Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (PIERC). As a USGS research center, PIERC serves the needs of resource managers to tackle current and emerging critical conservation issues.
Pacific Islands host a wide range of ecosystems and thousands of endemic species. Many areas have been disturbed and literally hundreds of species face extinction. Some threats, such as the introduction of invasive species and climate change, continue to build. Despite that, much progress has been made towards understanding the threats to island biodiversity and developing protection and restoration strategies. To develop effective conservation strategies, ecologic research is needed to understand the biology of imperiled species and the threats they face. The role of PIERC is to provide that information.
Our research increases understanding of how biological systems function, how disturbances and threats affect species and habitats, and which methods most effectively promote restoration, conservation, and other management goals. Our work is determined by the needs of partner agencies and organizations. We have recently completed a Science Plan to guide our efforts from 2015 through 2020. Our science plan strives to complement the USGS Science Strategy released in 2007. PIERC typically has a staff of about 20–25 federal employees. About a dozen of these are senior scientists that lead research projects. These scientists work with an additional 10–12 researchers from the Hawai‘i Cooperative Studies Unit.
Please explore this website and enjoy the information on PIERC research projects, scientists, and publications.
Gordon Tribble
Center Director
USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
Mission Statement The USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center provides scientific leadership in support of national, regional, and local needs to understand, conserve, and manage natural resources in Pacific island ecosystems.
Vision To ensure the long-term health and sustainability of Pacific island ecosystems by providing reliable, effective, and relevant science.